Chances are San Diegans will be seeing a lot of Channelle McNutt in﻿ the future.

The enthusiastic Helix High graduate is currently the executive vice president and chief operations officer of San Diego State University’s Associated Students.

In her student government role, 21-year-old McNutt plans campus activities, works with sports departments and attends meetings with university administrators. Over the years, she’s also worked on campus diversity projects, environmental issues and was named SDSU’s 2012 homecoming queen.

McNutt, who is scheduled to graduate in May, found some free time to talk about her life as of one of the busiest women on campus.

Q: Why did you decide to attend San Diego State University?

A: I knew I wanted to attend a big university and make an impact on campus as well as in the community; SDSU granted me that opportunity. I also was able to transfer several AP and college courses to SDSU, making me a year ahead of my other classmates. Also, being close to home was an extreme advantage.

Q: You’ve accomplished quite a bit in your four years there — what are three things you’re most proud of?

A: I am extremely proud of graduating in four years with two bachelors degrees, one in communication and the other in political science. I know I’m making my parents and family proud. My father being from Mississippi and my mother from the Philippines, me graduating college is a big accomplishment for them as well. In addition, I am proud of making a real impact within the SDSU community. Because of my journey at SDSU, I have provided more opportunities for students to get involved with all aspects of campus, especially students of color. Lastly, I’m very proud of being crowned the 2012 SDSU homecoming queen. This is a very distinguished honor and I’m blessed and humbled to be recognized my campus community. Being selected as homecoming queen really sums up my college experience because it acknowledges me for everything I have achieved within my time at SDSU.

Q: Where did you get an interest in government?

A: I’ve been interested in government since I was literally 7 years old. I have home videos of me talking about my plans to become president of the United States and what people need to do to improve the community. From this natural passion for people, community and service, my involvement in government was inevitable. I was class president every year in high school, and then immediately got involved with AS at SDSU.

Q: If you could do one thing to improve San Diego, what would it be?

A: Create more leadership opportunities for young women within their schools (middle and high school). My senior year of high school, I created a program, “Girl Adolescent Leaders,” where I empowered middle school girls to embrace leadership and be change agents within their community. Until that program, most of the women within my group had never been told they were special or that they could have goals outside of San Diego. That experience and program really instilled the passion I have to empower women in leadership especially within their early stages of adolescence. There are so many things women are constantly being bombarded with, some more negative than positive. Leadership and community service provides avenues for innovation and passion, something all women can benefit from.